The golden sun blazes overhead, casting shimmering reflections on the rolling waves of Copacabana. The air hums with energy—samba rhythms drift from a nearby bar, mixing with the laughter of children building sandcastles and the cries of seagulls diving for scraps.
The beach is a mosaic of color: vibrant umbrellas dot the shoreline, bronzed bodies glisten with sunscreen, and vendors weave through the crowd, offering icy coconut water and grilled queijo coalho. The sea, a dazzling turquoise, crashes against the shore, its foamy fingers retreating only to surge forward again, inviting swimmers and surfers alike.